Lecture 39 - Female Reproductive System Flashcards
Pelvic Diaphragm
o separates pelvis and perineum
o formed largely by levator ani muscle
o contains opening for pelvic viscera
Levator ani
o puborectalis (faecal continence) (inner)
o pubococcygeus (middle)
o iliococcygeus (outer)
Perineal membrane
o superficial to pelvic diaphragm
o covers urogenital triangle
o opening for urethra (male and female) and vagina (female)
deep perineal pouch
o space above perineal membrane and below levator ani
o contains skeletal muscle that forms sphincters around urethra and vagina
childbirth
o Levator ani and perineal membrane can be injured during childbirth
o Puborectalis and pubococcygeus often torn
o Muscles in deep perineal pouch can also be involved
o In females these muscle support urethra, uterus, vagina, and rectum
o Urinary stress incontinence and prolapse of uterus may result, and even faecal incontinence
ovary
o Adjacent to lateral wall of pelvix
o In peritoneal cavity
o Posterior to broach ligament
o Attached to uterus by ligament of ovary
fallopian (uterine) tube
o Projects laterally, open adjacent to ovaries
o Starts with (inner to outer)
o Isthmus – ampulla – infundibulum
infundibulum
Funnel-shaped with fimbriae, facilitates collection of oocytes
ampulla
Relatively large, labyrinthine lumen (fertilization)
Isthmus
Narrow portion, connects to uterus
Uterus
thick-walled muscular organ; facilitates development of embryo
endometrium
inner lining; supports pregnancy, shed during menstrual cycle
Cervix
opens inferiorly into vagina, uterus is supported best at cervix
fertilization and implantation
o fertilization usually occurs in ampulla
o implantation is usually in the body of the uterus
ectopic (extrauterine) pregnancy
implantation anywhere other than the endometrial lining, can occur at different locations
position of uterus (when bladder is empty)
o anteverted (AV) relative to vagina
o anteflexed (AF) over bladder
o cervix opens into posterior wall of vagina
vagina
o muscular passage connecting uterine cavity to exterior
o between urethra and rectum
peritoneal folds
o fold over top of pelvic viscera
o folds come together over uterine tubes to form broad ligament
o ligament of ovary formed by folds over ovarian vessels
o ovaries are within inner layer of peritoneum = intra-peritoneal
fluid in peritoneal cavity
o lying on back
o fluid collects in recto-uterine puch
o syringe through posterior part of vaginal fornix
o aspiration of fluid
female external genitalia
- vulva/pudendum
- labia minora
- vestibule
- labia majora
vulva/pudendum
erectile tissues and overlying skins
vestibule
area between labia minora, contains openings of urethra and vagina
labia minora
o Two thin skin folds next to midline
o come together anteriorly at glans clitoris
labia majora
o Larger skin folds, lateral to labia minora
perineal membrane and pubic arch
Attachment for roots of external genitalia
erectile tissues
2 corpora cavernosa, 2 bulbs of vestibule, glans clitoris (anterior to urethra, not covered by skin)
greater vestibular glands
Posterior to the bulbs, open into the vestibule, secreting mucous secretions that lubricate
ischiocavernosus muscles
Covers attached parts of corpora cavernosa, maintain erection of clitoris
bulbospongiosus muscles
Covers bulbs of vestibule and greater vestibular gland, support pelvic floor, assist in erection of clitoris, compress greater vestibular gland
